The Top Five Off-Field Sports Fights of the Decade

Anna Kournikova and Martina Hingis go at it in the locker room! And four other memorable scraps

Who: Derek Jeter versus Alex RodriguezWhen: June 20, 2005, after a throwing error by Jeter led to a 5–4 loss to last-place Tampa BayWhat went down: A “TV producer” quoted on the Web site of now defunct Radar magazine claimed, “A-Rod walked past Jeter’s locker and mumbled something about his throw; then Jeter told him to go fuck himself and all hell broke loose. Their teammates were pulling them away from each other.”What makes it special: Derek Jeter allegedly said “fuck.”

Who: Martina Hingis versus Anna KournikovaWhen: During and after an exhibition match in Santiago, Chile (won by Kournikova, 6–4, 6–4), on November 28, 2000What went down: After a dispute over a line call, Hingis made Kournikova cry on the court, declaring, “Do you think you are the queen? Because I am the real queen!” In the locker room, the players threw trophies and vases of flowers at each other.What makes it special: (1) They were doubles partners at the time. (2) Kournikova actually won.

Who: Vernon Maxwell versus Gary PaytonWhen: March 26, 2000What went down: An argument during practice erupted into a fight in the Seattle locker room when Payton chucked a VCR remote control at “Mad Max,” who responded by hurling…a five-pound dumbbell.What makes it special: Two players were injured and missed time—neither of them named Payton or Maxwell.

Who: A. J. Foyt versus Arie LuyendykWhen: Shortly after conclusion of 1997 True Value 500, at Texas Motor SpeedwayWhat went down: As he celebrated his victory, Foyt observed rival racer Luyendyk arrogantly taking a place in the winner’s circle and sucker punched him, knocking him to the ground.What makes it special: Luyendyk actually was the winner. A malfunctioning scoring apparatus had convinced Foyt otherwise.

Who: Bears OT Fred Miller versus Bears C Olin KreutzWhen: November 7, 2005What went down: After a long day of shooting at an FBI firing range, then drinking and bickering at a barbecue, Kreutz clocked Miller, fracturing his jaw. Miller then came at Kreutz with “an unknown object,” either a free weight or a board.What makes it special: No one was killed, despite the commingling of guns, alcohol, and two occupationally violent 300-pound men.